Adobe Ultra CS3

Adobe Ultra is a software application for creating chroma keys and virtual sets. It is intended for use with green (or blue) screens. It is available as part of the Production Premium and Master Collection software bundles.

Adobe Ultra's features include:

• Quick, easy, high-quality keying with live preview.
• Create and customize virtual sets with effects such as virtual shadows and reflections.
• Some virtual sets are included; more are available for online purchase.
• Real-time color correction on input and output clips.
• Various image editing and manipulation tools.
• Output to a range of file formats.

Quick Review

At the time of writing I have not had a chance to thoroughly test this program, but I did spend half an hour giving it a quick workout. I imported some old greenscreen footage from a shoot that had gone wrong — the greenscreen was badly lit and it had originally required a lot of work in After Effects to fix. Ultra handled the poor footage much better and I had an acceptable key in minutes.

I also tried the virtual sets and they worked a treat. The dozen or so supplied sets are nice enough but not absolutely top class. If you are looking to use this for serious work you will probably need to acquire (or make) some more sets.

On the whole my first impressions were very favourable. I'm definitely looking forward to giving it another go.

History

• Version CS3 (2007)